Sandblasted Bent Egg Sitter (B) Tobacco Pipe

Massimiliano "Max" Rimensi began working with wood in his uncle's shop at age 14, giving him a fascination with carpentry that preceded the purchase of his first pipe. It was in that same shop that Max made his first pipe, the result of which didn't satisfy him but the process of which enthralled him. Though located in Occhiobello, southwest of Venice near Italy's Adriatic coast, Max's fanciful shapes take inspiration from all over, crafted with briar he lets dry for years before shaping.

This bent Egg from Max is not only ultralight at just over one ounce but has a very unique feature for an Egg shape: it's also a sitter, the heel completely flat to allow it to rest just as easily as any Poker. The shape of the bowl is nontraditional as well, especially skinny around the waist for an Egg but still curvy, especially at the aft. Max's light sandblasted finish allows the flame grain and cross grain to be admired simultaneously, and the lines of the stummel (except for that of the heel) are playfully uneven, giving a deeply natural feel. For as much work as Max put into this piece, it certainly appears that he had a measure of fun with it, too.